HB 1243 Stops Local Gungrabbing

A bill is before the full Pennsylvania House that would keep local governments from implementing their own ordinances, rules or laws regarding ownership, possession or transportation of firearms, says State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129).

“Such local ordinances are already prohibited by state law; however, some municipalities have enacted local laws anyway,” Cox said. “To help deter that practice, the measure also would give legal standing to any person who has been adversely affected by any regulation put forth or enforced in violation of this premise, to seek injunctive and declarative relief, as well as damages.”

HB 1243 would also require the Pennsylvania State Police to provide existing mental health records already incorporated in the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to the National Instant Check System (NICS) and require ongoing submissions of this data to NICS within 72 hours of State Police receiving it. The goal is to keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, not only in Pennsylvania but across the country.

An additional amendment to require universal background checks on all firearms sales in Pennsylvania was considered but failed, Cox said. Under current Pennsylvania law, all firearms purchases are subject to background checks, with the exception of the private sales of long guns (hunting rifles).